The Patterson Family Foundation offers a grant program focused on entrepreneurship and business support with the aim of fostering economic vitality in rural communities. The initiative prioritizes small business startups, rural entrepreneurship, and business growth by funding programs that deliver technical assistance, business development resources, and mentorship. The goal is to strengthen the foundational support systems that help entrepreneurs start and grow successful ventures, especially in underserved areas.
Funding from this program ranges between $50,000 and $1 million and may be used to support comprehensive initiatives such as entrepreneurial training programs, network development, and strategies that promote sustainable business ecosystems. However, certain types of projects are not eligible for funding. These include co-working spaces without accompanying programming and capital-only requests that do not also propose operational strategies for entrepreneur support or participant recruitment.
Geographic eligibility is restricted to counties in Kansas and western Missouri with populations under 50,000. A map delineating the Foundation’s catchment area is available to clarify which counties are included. Organizations must register through the Patterson Family Foundation Grants Portal prior to applying, with deadlines for registration and LOI submissions occurring before each of the two annual rounds.
The grant application process is divided into two rounds. For Round 1 in 2025, registration and LOI submission must be completed by 12:00 PM CST on April 18, with full applications due May 9. For Round 2, the LOI deadline is July 3, with full applications due July 25. Determinations will be communicated in August and October respectively. Applicants are encouraged to submit their LOIs as early as possible to facilitate timely review and gain more preparation time for full proposals if selected.
The Foundation emphasizes a transparent and competitive selection process. All applicants must undergo due diligence, and submission of an application does not imply any commitment to fund. Final funding decisions are made only upon written confirmation via formal award letters. Successful grantees will be guided on appropriate public communications regarding the support received.
Applicant support is available through scheduled Office Hours, held from 1–3 p.m. by request. Interested parties can contact Sasha Winterowd at sasha.winterowd@pffkc.org with specific questions and preferred dates to reserve a session. Additional help is available via the Foundation’s main email at info@pffkc.org.
